Specifications

Global Configuration Mode Command Set Command Reference Guide

bridge <group#> forward-time <seconds>

Use the bridge forward-time command to specify the delay interval (in seconds) when forwarding bridge

packets. Use the no form of this command to return to the default interval. The default value may be

restored using the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

<group#>

Bridge group number (1 to 255) specified using the

bridge-group

command

Forward delay interval in seconds (valid range: 4 to 20)

Default Values

15 seconds

Command Modes

(config)# Global Configuration Mode

Command History

Release 1.1 Command was introduced

Functional Notes

When a new bridging interface is added to a network topology, change information is broadcasted and used to

update spanning-tree calculations. The forward time interval specifies the number of seconds a configured

bridge will wait (and listen) for the topology update information before forwarding packets to the new interface.

If multiple forward time intervals exist within a bridge group, the entire bridge group follows the forward time

interval specified in the root bridge.

Usage Examples

The following example configures a forward time interval of 15 seconds for bridge 17:

(config)#

bridge 17 forward-time 15

Technology Review

A bridged network can provide excellent traffic management to reduce collisions and limit the amount of

bandwidth wasted with unnecessary transmissions. Configuring an appropriate forward time delay interval

(allowing the bridge to wait for the new host information) reduces the amount of information requests

transmitted on the interfaces while maintaining a current forwarding table.